Bam Adebayo is earning praise for his play in summer league action, especially after dropping 29 points in his last game.
Four-star linebacker Chris Oats decides soon. Lots more football recruiting. A defensive line preview with UK's football season approaching. Basketball notes, former Cats in the news and much more.
BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK
In today's CatsIllustrated.com Kentucky Basketball Notebook you'll see highlights of Hamidou Diallo and P.J. Washington in Egypt.
You'll also read about Malik Monk signing his rookie contract, what those in Charlotte are learning about him, the summer league action featuring former Cats and the SEC's talent surge, which has continued into the 2018 class.
LINK: Kentucky basketball: Diallo, Washington videos; Monk signs; summer league
FORCEFUL STATEMENT
In action for the third time in as many days, Adebayo closed with 29 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots in Monday's 86-83 loss to the Indiana Pacers on the practice court of the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center, flashing some end-to-end dribbling and multiple Euro-steps along the way.
“He was what we like to say, one percent better,”said assistant coach Chris Quinn, who is coaching the Heat's summer roster. “I thought he did a great job, a much better job of rolling to the basket. We were able to get him some easier looks that way and also get him to the foul line. They had some big physical guys down there and he responded well to that.
LINK: Bam Adebayo makes a forceful statement in Heat summer league loss
Through three games, Adebayo has been one of the most impressive rookies at summer league. He is currently second in scoring among all players with 19 points per game and first in rebounding with 10 per game. He has also blocked 2.3 shots per game.
LINK: Miami Heat rookie Bam Adebayo continues to impress with big game
TEAM USA RECAP
SUMMER DECISION
Cincinnati (Ohio) Winton Woods linebacker Chris Oats has stayed out of the recruiting spotlight most of the spring and early part of the summer, but the four-star told Rivals.com this week he is anticipating a summer decision and six schools currently stand out.
SUMMER LEAGUE
Three former Kentucky men’s basketball players are on the 14-man Philadelphia roster that will compete in this week’s Utah Jazz Summer League. After going through Philadelphia’s mini-camp last week, Isaiah Briscoe (2016-17), Aaron Harrison (2014-15) and Alex Poythress (2013-16) will get another opportunity to impress in Salt Lake City.
The Utah Jazz Summer League begins Monday night and runs through Thursday. It includes four teams and six games in a round-robin format. All six games will be televised on NBATV. Philadelphia’s first game is Monday at 7 p.m. ET.
LINK: Three Wildcats to participate in NBA's Utah Jazz summer league
OPENING STRONG
CatsIllustrated.com has been writing glowing reviews about Kentucky quarterback commitment Jarren Williams for well over a year now. The rest of the country seems to have come around.
The four-star Central Gwinnett quarterback and Wildcat pledge has drawn rave reviews based on his early play in Oregon at The Opening, earning MVP honors in one of the 7v7 games yesterday.
CatsIllustrated.com spoke with his father, Anthony Williams, about how things are going so far.
LINK: Jarren Williams had a strong performance at The Opening
MAKING THE CASE
With John Calipari in Egypt coaching the United State's U19 team in the 2017 FIBA World Cup, Joel Justus was tasked with playing host to a big-time Class of 2019 visiting prospect last week.
Calipari might not have been in Lexington, but Justus made a strong case on his behalf, and that's why he's on the staff.
LINK: Justus made strong case to elite visitor in Calipari's absence
THE WAR ROOM!
Kentucky's riding the big mo' in the Buckeye State. That's something we've seen before, and it bodes well for how the Class of 2018 might play out.
That's a big part of this special Monday edition of the War Room.
LINK: The War Room! Cats riding a wave of momentum with Ohio recruits
D-LINE PREVIEW
PADGETT EXTENDED
The Samford University athletic department announced today that basketball coach Scott Padgett has signed a five-year contract extension.
The news was officially released by Director of Athletics Martin Newton on Monday. Padgett's deal will now last throughout the 2021-22 campaign.
LINK: Former UK player Scott Padgett extended at Samford through 2022
